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California employers must provide additional "reporting time pay" to non-exempt (hourly) employees who report for scheduled work but then are given less than half of their shift. The amount is at least two hours' and no more than four hours' pay at the regular rate. For a second reporting on the same workday, the employer must pay at least two additional hours at the regular rate.
Reporting time pay compensates employees for their time and effort in showing up, protects them from unpredictable schedules and lost wages, and encourages employers to provide proper scheduling notice. These rules shift the financial risk of business fluctuations to employers and discourage unexpected reductions in workers' hours.
"Showing up" for work includes physically arriving at the workplace, logging in remotely, starting a driving route, or arriving at an offsite job location. Workers who call in to confirm their shift may also qualify as having reported, depending on employer requirements.
Employers must pay reporting time pay when they send a worker home early for reasons such as lack of work, unsatisfactory job performance, or a failure to wear a uniform, but not when an employee voluntarily leaves early for illness or personal reasons--the key distinction is who initiates the early departure. Other exceptions to reporting time pay include employees on paid standby status and situations caused by events outside the employer's control, such as emergencies, power outages, or threats to safety and property.
Reporting time pay illustrations
Scheduled ShiftHours Worked Before Sent HomeReporting Time Pay Owed (Total)Net Reporting Time Pay Owed (Additional)Explanation8 hours1 hour4 hours3 hoursPay at least half shift (4 hours); owe 3 hours more after 1 hour worked8 hours3 hours4 hours1 hourWorked less than half shift; owe 1 more hour6 hours1 hour3 hours2 hoursHalf shift = 3 hours; owe 2 more hours after 1 hour worked4 hours1 hour2 hours1 hourMinimum 2 hours; owe 1 hour more3 hours0 hours (no work given)2 hours2 hoursMinimum 2 hours reporting pay appliesAny shiftCalled back a second time; less than 2 hours worked upon return2 hoursUp to 2 hoursMinimum 2 hours owed for second reporting
Some California cities and counties, e.g. San Francisco, Los Angeles City and Los Angeles County, enforce "predictability pay" ordinances for designated large-scale industries that often require additional pay for last-minute schedule changes or cancellations and impose stricter rules than state law.
Take-Aways:
Employers should carefully track schedules, promptly notify workers of changes, and pay reporting time pay whenever required.
For further information, please contact Tim Bowles, Cindy Bamforth or Helena Kobrin.
See also:
Cindy Bamforth
August 7, 2025
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